NASENI Empowers 290 Oyo Youths, Women With Solar Systems, Clean Cookstoves

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure has empowered 290 youths and women in Oyo State with home solar systems, clean energy cookstoves and support packs under its Sustainable Empowerment Programme.

The beneficiaries received the items on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during an empowerment programme held in Oyo State, as part of efforts to reduce energy costs and improve livelihoods.

The initiative targeted vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities across communities in the state. According to NASENI, 250 women received clean cookstoves, while 40 men received solar home systems and support packs.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by the Director of Information, New Media and Protocol, Segun Ayeoyenikan, said the initiative reflected the agency’s focus on ensuring that science, engineering and technology deliver practical benefits to Nigerians.

Halilu said NASENI had moved beyond research and laboratories to ensuring that technologies developed by the agency reached households, entrepreneurs and communities.

He explained that the intervention was designed to help beneficiaries reduce hardship, improve productivity and create sustainable economic opportunities.

He added that through the NASENI Sustainable Empowerment Programme, the agency was connecting innovation with inclusion, noting that meaningful empowerment should enable beneficiaries to reduce costs, increase productivity, earn income and exercise greater control over their economic future.

The NASENI boss said similar interventions had been implemented in Kano, Osun, Abia, Lagos, Anambra and Benue states.

He said the programmes were anchored on NASENI’s principles of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation and formed part of its contribution to the Federal Government’s development agenda.

Also speaking, the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, represented by his Campaign Council Director-General, Aiswaju Yemi Aderibigbe, described the programme as a plan for translating science and technology into practical solutions for Nigerians.

He said the distribution of cookstoves and solar systems went beyond financial assistance, as it promoted cleaner energy, healthier households and environmental sustainability.